The 52-year-old Peter has worked for the Council for 26 years and drives either a Fuso or Isuzu truck as a member of a maintenance gang. For more than four decades his late dad Billy Shearman also worked for the Council as a truck driver.

"Dad was very well known and died more than 20 years ago and used to drive the Council fuel truck," Peter said. "He actually got me the job."

The Shearman family was well respected and lived on Fulham Road for years and Billy was regarded as a true gentleman.

Those who knew Billy would probably agree that Peter has many of his mannerisms.

"I get around Townsville working and love the job," Peter said.

Ironically, the worker with Peter was Steve Gunderson who has a step-dad, who is a long time truck driver in Canberra,

"I have been in Townsville for about a year and also drive the truck and my step dad, Fred, still is a truckie in Canberra employed by Ablett's Transport where he has been for as long as I can remember," Steve said.

"He drives a B-double and his family is from Norway."

But unlike Peter, Fred never tried to get him a job driving a truck. "I don't think he wanted me to do that," Steve said.

The Council workers share some good natured jokes with each other and it has been suggested that Peter bears a striking resemblance to one of Australia's best known history figures, Ned Kelly.

"It must be because of my beard and I don't mind that at all."